Paramount spent nearly $500K rewriting 'Scream 7' after firing Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega exit

Paramount Pictures reportedly spent close to $500,000 over a series of rewrites on the Scream 7 script after the horror franchise’s planned creative direction dramatically shifted last year, triggered by the firing of Melissa Barrera and the subsequent departure of Jenna Ortega.

According to reports, the conversations around the franchise’s next installment became increasingly tumultuous after Barrera, a central figure in the recent Scream films, was removed from the project by producers.

Barrera’s exit was followed by Ortega stepping away, leading to a scramble behind the scenes to adjust the screenplay and rework major plotlines. Those adjustments weren’t cheap: multiple draft revisions and writer rewrites reportedly cost Paramount near‑half a million dollars.

Industry insiders told reporters that the costs stemmed from bringing in writers to overhaul character arcs and plot beats that had initially been tailored to Barrera and Ortega’s involvement. With both actors no longer attached, the creative team needed to change the structure of the film to account for their absences, a process that demanded significant time and compensation for the screenwriters involved.

The reporting also paints a picture of internal challenges as the studio attempted to navigate the production after public backlash, social media debate and fan speculation swirled in the wake of the departures. Critics noted that losing two marquee young stars had ripple effects on marketing plans and audience expectations, making the rewrite costs just one piece of the broader fallout.

Fans have reacted strongly across social platforms as details emerged. Many have pointed to Barrera and Ortega’s influential roles in revitalizing the franchise as reasons why their exits were so impactful, while others have debated how the creative shake‑up might affect the tone and success of Scream 7 once it arrives.

Despite the behind‑the‑scenes turbulence and the hefty price tag for rewrites, Paramount has continued moving forward with Scream 7 and has indicated that the film is still in active development with a revised script that no longer centers on Barrera’s character.

The reported $500,000 rewrite bill offers a rare window into how costly unexpected creative changes can be in major franchise filmmaking, especially when they involve reconfiguring a script around shifting cast attachments.